The 35-year-old was naked when police arrived and tried to hide in nearby bushes but was arrested.

He was charged with murder and pleaded guilty in Burwood Local Court on March 1.

Khanh Thanh Ly has admitted to beating Ms Listiyani to death. ()

According to police facts tendered to court, the couple got into a heated argument in Breakfast Point before Ly slammed the Indonesian national's head against the pavement several times rendering her unconscious, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Police allege her body was then loaded into the boot of Ly's car before he drove her to the wharf and dragged her body to the water.

Paramedics were reportedly unable to revive Ms Listiyani, who had sustained significant head injuries and "sizable ligature marks" around her neck.